Page 619 - Sociology and You

Chapter 17 Social Change and Collective Behavior
589
Police made mass arrests in 1992 when anti-abortion activists attempted to blockade a Milwaukee abortion clinic. How does this behavior relate to convergence theory?
congregate with others who they know to be like-minded. According to con- vergence theory, the independent variable in crowd behavior is the desire of people with a common interest to come together.
There have been many instances of crowds gathering in front of clinics to discourage abortions. This behavior, say convergence theorists, does not sim- ply occur because people happened to be at the same place and are influ- enced by others. Such a crowd is motivated to form because of shared values, beliefs, and attitudes (Berk, 1974).
Section 3 Assessment
1. How is a dispersed collectivity different from other types of collectivities?
2. Some observers at a lynching do not participate but do not attempt to stop the lynching. Which of the following theories of crowd behavior best explains this?
a. contagion theory c. emergent norm theory
b. crowd decision theory d. convergence theory Critical Thinking
3. Making Generalizations Rumors may or may not be true. Do you think most rumors turn out to be false? Why or why not?
4. Applying Concepts Identify a current rumor, fad, or fashion. Explain why it is part of a dispersed collectivity.
5. Applying Concepts Think of a crowd you have been part of, and identify it as one of the four types of crowds described in the text. Provide examples of behavior within the crowd (yours or someone else’s) that illustrate why it was that particular type.
“
The Mob has many
Heads, but no Brains.
Thomas Fuller English minister
“